My Avatar, and 1805 Dime with the Four Berry Reverse

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by johnmilton, Jun 14, 2019.

  1. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    1805DimeO.JPG 1805DimeR.JPG


    This is my avatar, an 1805 dime. I took this photo before I had the coin certified. I bought this coin circa 1975 from the late Catherine Bullowa who was a well respected Philadelphia, Pennsylvania coin dealer. She continued the business after the death of her husband, David Bullowa who was a “true numismatist” in the opinion of many of his contemporizes.

    This coin really got me interested in early U.S. coins. I had been fascinated with them before, but the beauty of this one really got me hooked as a collector.

    Mrs. Bullowa graded this coin “EF.” That was an under grade at the time, and even more so today. The piece currently rests in a PCGS AU-58 holder. It is the four berry reverse variety which is determined by the number of berries on the olive branch that is in the eagle’s right talon. There is also a five berry reverse variety which is scarcer, especially in higher grades like this.

    This issue is the ideal coin for the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dime type. Unlike the 1807 dime, which often has strike issues (The dies were pushed to the limit on that one.), it comes well struck and is “common” for a coin of this era.

    When I was a dealer, I had a chance to upgrade this coin when I purchased another 1805, four berry dime in PCGS MS-62. It was a virtual twin to this one except that it was a little nicer and, of course worth more money since it had been assigned a higher grade. I decided to hold on this one for old times sake, if nothing else.

    Having owned this piece for over 40 years, I expect it will remain in my collection for as long as I live.
     
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  3. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    Great looking coin.

    That said, I can see 3 berries, where is the 4th?
     
  4. Heavymetal

    Heavymetal Well-Known Member

    Berry nice (Pun intended)
     
  5. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Each small stem below a two-leaf pairing has a berry. There is one berry on the left side of the branch and 3 on the right.

    @johnmilton beautiful coin and I'd have kept her too. :)
     
    Penna_Boy likes this.
  6. Penna_Boy

    Penna_Boy Just a nobody from the past

    Very nice indeed. Thanks for posting the pics.
     
  7. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    My favorite US coin design. Love it. Best I ever owned was a F12 5 berries reverse, although I had a 1800 half dime in VF30, a much more scarce coin.
     
  8. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    1st Outer, (right side of the branch) below right base of A3.
    2nd inner, (left side of branch) below left base of A3.
    3rd outer, almost below center of C.
    4th outer, almost below right foot of I.
     
  9. George McClellan

    George McClellan Active Member

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